Garvin Christmas

Bella's favorite place to sit.

Twisting with Aunt Katy

Exploring the creekbed next to the cabin with Daddy.

Turkey tracks on the driveway. One day we saw about 30 turkeys filing through the woods outside the house.

Pictures of the house

Our view from the living room windows. There was also an upstairs loft area with a master suite attached where Grant, Bella and I stayed. Bella slept in the closet it was so big. There were two bedrooms and a bathroom down a hallway to the left of the kitchen and a basement with a bathroom, laundry room, and small room with a pull out couch. It was a great house with lots of room.

Bella doing her flashcards with PaPa.

Aunt Katy and Bella watching some TV.

Once again Bella on her favorite stoop, reading the book PaPa recorded for her.

Matt & Robyn making peanutbutter bon bons.

Who would have thought that in the mountains of Utah we would have to go in search of snow. We went up to a ski resort to play in a little bit of their snow. Bella helped with the first snowman "Frosty".

Bella was very adamant that "Frosty" have a nose and a hat.

PaPa and Uncle Matt worked on the second snowman.

How do you like the unibrow?

A picture of the ski slope whose snow we were using off to the side.

Harris Christmas

The Executive Chef and her helper!

The Bell of the Christmas Eve Ball! Bella had so much fun twirling around in her dress and coat.

Brooks and Bella playing ball Christmas Eve. Brooks was Bella's big buddy during the holiday. He kept her quite entertained!

Our new Playdough set has been a huge hit!

Bella seems to really enjoy her nativity set that Santa gave her.

Group shot in their Christmas PJs.

Brooks got a new ping pong table top for Christmas. Bella had fun playing but she liked to make up her own rules!

Thanksgiving

So I'm a little behind on my blogging...
Thanksgiving was quiet this year. It was Ann, Melinda, Grant, Bella and I. Bella loved being Gran's right hand girl!

This is how Grant spent most of his Thanksgiving morning.

Taking Care of Mamma

Yesterday Bella covered me up with her special blanket, gave me her special bunny, brought over her little chair and started ready books too me. She said, "Mommy tired."

Santa

I took Bella to see Santa before Thanksgiving and as you can see from the photos she wasn't very keen on the idea. The only way she would go anywhere near him was if I was holding her. I was not planning on being in the photo. I love the progression! Today though, we were at the mall and when we got back to the car she asked to go sit on Santa's lap. I don't know where that came from, but I didn't test her to see if she really meant it. It was too close to nap time. :)

Baylor-Tech Game

So Ann took Grant, Melinda, her boyfriend Eric, and me to the Baylor-Tech game, Saturday. Imagine being a Tech fan, in between two Baylor alumni, on the Baylor side and that was me. It was brutal! Grant was very composed, but Ann was just down right giddy! I guess I don't blame her. It has been a long time since Baylor has had a winning season and they did play well. Here is a picture of our awesome seats. Thank you Ann!

Potty!

Monday, Bella and I went to get her a potty chair and yesterday she actually told me she had to go potty and then went! What a great birthday present! Then she went again today! We aren't consistent yet, but it's a start. I may have to go to Pull Ups instead of diapers because getting her diapers back on her after is a battle of the wills. Of course it doesn't help that we have to put her potty in our bathroom because there isn't room for it in the guest bathroom, next to her room. I have to lay her down on our bathroom floor or bring her changing pad into our bedroom. I don't think we're ready to go cold turkey and use panties. That may be just me, but I don't think she's that aware all the time. Wow! I hope I'm ready for this!

Bunny Band-aid

Our beloved bunny is definitely showing his age. He had a hole in his ear, but Aunt Melinda came to the rescue with a bunny band-aid. Note that the fabric matches Bella's bedding.

Hair Pictures

Here is a picture of what Bella's hair looks like after the haircut. Not that much different, we just evened up the layers a bit. I haven't tried to put her hair in pigtails yet it might be just a tad too short for that.

 

 This picture was just too cute not to post.

First Haircut

Bella got her first haircut today. I am really bummed that I didn't get any pictures! It wasn't very much, just a little off the back to try and even up the layers. I did save some of the hair so I at least have that. She sat in my lap and did such a good job! She hardly squirmed at all.

Grandpa's Birthday

Today was Grandpa's birthday and we got to celebrate with him! I wish I could say that I made this delicious cherry pie, but I bought it at Central Market. I highly recomend it!

 Bella helped Grandpa blow out his candle, but...

 I didn't get a very good picture so here is the retake.:)

Happy birthday, Daddy/Grandpa! So glad we got to spend it with you! Love you!

Halloween 2011

Halloween was a really fun time for us this year. Our friends the Thomases came to celebrate with us and Bella was old enough to actually trick-or-treat. That was so cute to watch, but first she had to fight Daddy for her costume!

 I couldn't believe I got Bella to actually wear the hood to her costume. She did start taking it off about half way through the trick-or-treating, but every time I told her she had to put it back on to go to a door and she would.

 In her defense the hood was a little big. Where's Bella?

 There she is!

 Sorry for the butt shot, but here is Bella at one of the first houses. She never actually said "Trick-or-Treat", but she did hoot like and owl and say "Thank you".

 Bella has never really had candy before so she was fascinated by it. She knew exactly what to do with the lollipops though.

 Bella loved these little pumpkins. She kept moving them around one by one. I think we have four of them.

 We did actually let her open one of the lollipops to eat, boy what a mess. I'm sure you experienced parents are laughing right now knowing exactly what I'm talking about. I couldn't get her costume off of her fast enough to save it from the sticky saliva. Poor thing that ended up being all the candy she had because we ran out of candy and had to use hers to supplement. Before you start feeling sorry for her and think we are horrible parents let me just say that she hasn't even missed it and Daddy and I probably would have eaten most of it anyway!:)